Bike Gear Hall of Fame

Merlin and Litespeed Bikes, 1986

12 / 15

Titanium can be as much as 40 percent lighter than steel, leading to bikes with a damped, supple ride that appeals to many types of cyclists. Ti frames offer better crash durability than steel, and they never rust. But it took a slowing of defense contracting in the mid-'80s to make previously unobtainable metal grades available to frame builders. In 1986, Litespeed and Merlin introduced "perfected" titanium bikes. Riders from the bike path to the Tour de France were soon lusting after ti's dull shine. By 1993, Litespeed was producing frames for 22 brands, while Merlin continued to build only its own frames. Recently, carbon has become more popular for racers, but ti remains a favorite material among custom bike builders, whose elegant frames are still praised by cycling's cognoscenti.